“[This] move will help our customers use even fewer bags but ensure that those sold in our stores continue to fund thousands of community projects across the country chosen by customers.”

It is estimated that around 8m tonnes of plastic makes its way into the seas every year, posing a serious threat to the marine wildlife. Experts estimate that plastic is eaten by 31 species of marine mammals and more than 100 species of sea birds.

More than 7bn bags were handed out by seven main supermarkets in the year before the charge was brought introduced in England. Some 350 million carrier bags were from the major supermarkets alone in Wales in 2009.

In 2015 it was estimated that the number of bags handed out in the country had fallen by 71 per cent - with estimates of between £17m and £22m raised by the 5p charge donated to good causes.

Louise Edge from Greenpeace said: “It’s great to see major retailers moving away from disposable plastic.

“For too long we’ve seen plastic as something to be used once and thrown away. But there is no such place as ‘away’ - and millions of tonnes of plastic are ending up in our rivers, beaches, streets and in the sea every year, harming marine life.

“The plastic bag charge has done wonders for reducing the number of bags polluting our coastlines and waters.”